Agapanthus  plant named ‘BNA01’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Agapanthus  cultivar named ‘BNA01’ is disclosed, characterized by a very stable, dark blue flower color. Plants show improved tolerance for extreme Summer heat, as observed in Florida, resisting foliage fading or burn. Plants may re-bloom during late Summer, after the initial large flush in late Spring. The new variety is a  Agapanthus , typically produced as an outdoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Agapanthus africanus.

Variety denomination: ‘BNA01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new variety originated as a naturally occurring, whole plant mutation of an unpatented, unnamed Agapanthus africanus.

The new variety was discovered by the inventor in a commercial planting of the unnamed Agapanthus africanus parent in Wauchula, Fla. The inventor identified a single, whole plant mutation at his commercial nursery in 2006. After isolating the interesting new plant, the inventor divided the original plant and subsequent propagules over several years, to establish stability.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘BNA01’ was first performed by division in Wauchula, Fla., during 2006, on a very limited basis. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a location not open to the public, at the inventor's nursery. Through subsequent propagation, multiple generations have been reproduced, which have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘BNA01’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘BNA01’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘BNA01’ as a new and distinct Agapanthus cultivar:

-   -   1. Dark blue flower color.     -   2. Very stable dark flower color.     -   3. Observed to be more heat tolerant than typical for Agapanthus         africanus grown in Florida during the Summer months. Heat         tolerance exhibited in foliage which does not fade or scorch.     -   4. Easily and successfully reproduced by division.     -   5. Some re-blooming observed, after initial bloom period         beginning in early Summer.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BNA01’ are similar to the parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, the new variety is more tolerant of extreme Summer heat than the parent variety, maintaining Summer foliage color better. Additionally, plants of ‘BNA01’ produce flowers of a darker blue than the parent variety, and have a longer bloom period.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BNA01’ are similar to the unpatented commercial variety Agapanthus africanus ‘African Queen’ in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, differs in the following:

-   -   1. Longer bloom period than the comparator.     -   2. ‘BNA01’ produces darker blue flowers than this comparator.     -   3. Foliage of the new variety is more resistant to Summer heat         than that of the comparator.     -   4. Plants of the new variety are on average 10 to 20 cm shorter.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘BNA01’ are similar to the commercial variety Agapanthus africanus ‘Peter Pan’, unpatented, in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, differs in the following:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety are taller than plants of ‘Peter         Pan’ by 20 cm on average.     -   2. Flowers of the new variety are much darker blue than flower         of ‘Peter Pan’.     -   3. Plants of the new variety are more resistant to Summer heat,         with foliage maintaining a deep green color without fading or         burning.     -   4. Plants of the new variety are easier to propagate than plants         of ‘Peter Pan’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘BNA01’ grown in Loxley, Ala. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘BNA01’ plants grown outdoors in Loxley, Ala. Plants are approximately 1 year old. Temperatures ranged from approximately 4° C. to 25° C. at night and 10° C. to 35° C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. No chemical treatments were given to plants. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Agapanthus africanus ‘BNA01’.

PROPAGATION

-   Root description: Thick, fleshy root system colored near     Greyed-Orange 164D and Orange-White 159C.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Clump forming tender perennial with arching, pendulous     foliage. -   Height: Foliar plane 38 cm. Flowering plane approximately 62 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 70 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Growth pattern: The plant grows throughout most of the year but     mainly in the Spring and Summer months. This growth is in the form     of basal shoots or pups as well as some leaf extension. From     approximately early June, flowers start to appear and remain until     approximately Late Summer, in the Southern United States.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Average leaf length.—Average range approximately 21 to 32             cm.         -   Average leaf width.—Average range approximately 1.8 to 2.8             cm.         -   Arrangement.—Basal, irregular whorls.         -   Shape of blade.—Linear.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.         -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Average 40 to 55.         -   Color.—Mature and young foliage is the same color. Upper             blade: Near Green 137A. Lower Blade: Near Green 137A.         -   Venation.—Type: Linear. Venation color upper side:             Indistinguishable from leaf blade. Venation color under             side: Indistinguishable from leaf blade.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Beginning in late Spring, lasting until     mid to late Summer, in the Southern United States. -   Length of flowering period: Approximately 9 to 12 weeks. A lesser     amount of flower spikes may be produced late Summer, after the     initial flower. -   Inflorescence type: Terminal Umbel with approximately 30 individual     flowers and approximately 10 buds. Approximately 8 to 14 umbels     produced during the peak flowering season. -   Individual flower type: Single. -   Flower profile: Funnelform. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Shape.—Narrow ovate.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.7 cm.         -   Color.—Near Violet-Blue N89C, apex near N89A. Base near             Violet N88D. -   Umbel size:     -   -   Diameter.—Average 14 cm.         -   Height.—Average 7 cm. -   Corolla:     -   -   Arrangement.—Apetalous, single, campanulate flowers composed             of 6 basally fused tepals, shaped into a flared trumpet.         -   Size.—Length: Approximately 3.5 cm. Width: Approximately 1.9             cm at widest point. Lobe Length: Approximately 2.1 cm. Lobe             Width: Average range 0.7 to 0.9 cm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Broadly acute.         -   Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces. -   Color:     -   -   Tepals.—When opening: Outer surface: Near Violet-Blue N89A.             Inner surface: Near Violet N88A. Fully opened: Outer             surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89C, with center streak near             91A. Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89A, with large             center streak near 91A. Color Changes when Aging: Outer             surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89A, with large center streak             near 91A. Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue N89B, with             faint center streak near 91A.         -   Sepals.—Not present. -   Fragrance: Faint musty scent. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Length.—Average range 2.5 to 3.0 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm.         -   Aspect.—Somewhat undulating.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137A, lower surface. Upper surface             near Yellow-Green 147A, slightly flushed Greyed-Purple             N186A. -   Scape:     -   -   Length.—Average 50 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.7 to 0.9 cm.         -   Angle.—Upright from center of plant, mainly straight, with             slight curvature.         -   Strength.—Very strong.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137A, very slightly flushed near             Greyed-Purple N186A. -   Flower filament color: Near Violet-Blue RHS 90A, lower section near     91A. -   Flower anther color: Near Greyed-Purple N186A. -   Flower style color: Near Violet-Blue RHS 90C, lower section near     91C.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Average 6.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 2.1 cm.         -   Filament color.—Near Violet-Blue RHS 90A, lower section near             91A.         -   Anther length.—0.2 cm.         -   Anther color.—Near Greyed-Purple N186A.         -   Pollen.—Scant, colored near Violet-Blue 91C. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.8 cm.         -   Style color.—Near Violet-Blue RHS 90C, lower section near             91C.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS Violet-Blue 91A.         -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seed production: Seed production not observed to date. -   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal     diseases and pests of Agapanthus. -   Temperature tolerance: Typically USDA zones 7b through 11. -   Drought tolerance: Will tolerate considerable dryness once     established. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Agapanthus plant named ‘BNA01’ as herein illustrated and described. 